As a center, Matthias struggled greatly with consistency and his defensive game lagged behind anything one might expect from a reliable middle-six pivot. When playing on the wing, Matthias has the abilities to capitalize on his strengths and provide efficient goal scoring and strong board play on a nightly basis. When put on the right side this showcases itself with nightly bull-rushes down the wing that regularly end with a puck on goal – picturesque power forwarding, really. 

It was reminiscent of David Booth, save for the finishing ability and a frame that comparatively could have been made of adamantium. 

Matthias’ season didn’t necessarily start well, though. The second year Canuck going so far as to admit that his first eight games were ‘pretty crappy’. If anything, a generous assessment given Matthias’ set of doughnuts on the score sheet and a Corsi For of 37.5% in that stretch. 

From about that ninth game forward though the pace of Matthias’ play gradually picked up, to the point where he was generally one of the more noticeable Canucks forwards on an almost nightly basis – in a good way to boot. On the fore-check, Matthias showed the Canucks brass and faithful the tireless effort and tenacity that they so desperately pleaded for from Zack Kassian on a nightly basis. As a penalty killer he was tenacious, often lunging into shots and applying constant pressure to the puck carrier. The effort was there consistently, even when the results were not.